Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has emerged as the overwhelming favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award following his historic and remarkable Europa League exploits with Atalanta and a Ballon d’Or nomination, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Atalanta star, who made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final during his club’s triumph over Bayer Leverkusen last season, has been getting massive backing from fans on social media since CAF announced the names of the ten nominees on Thursday night.
“Being the first player in history to score three goals in a European final makes Ademola Lookman a favourite among football fans worldwide for the African Player of the Year award,” Bala_The_Game_Changer wrote on X.
The 27-year-old’s nomination comes as no surprise following an exceptional year that also saw him score 11 goals and rendered seven assists in 31 Serie A games for Atalanta and became the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
“I thought it was crazy when I saw my name in the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Being the only African player on the list makes it even more special,” Lookman told France Football recently.
Some fans believe the award should be handed to him without ceremony, with @jujupunte stating, “All these are not necessary. They’re supposed to take the award straight to Lookman in his sitting room.”
The Nigeria international faces competition from compatriot William Troost-Ekong and eight other nominees, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Algeria’s Amine Gouiri.
“This award is undisputed for Ademola Lookman… Even the other nine know this,” Maximus Dex wrote on X.
However, the exclusion of in-form striker Victor Boniface and current holder Victor Osimhen from the shortlist has sparked a debate among fans.
“Must be a joke. How did Boniface not make this list? Ademola Lookman will win, though, but Boniface has to be on the list. What is the criteria?” MSN questioned on X.
The winner will be announced at the upcoming CAF Awards 2024, where Lookman hopes to succeed Osimhen as Africa’s top player.